It’s not just that on Monday night Donald Trump
bullied, interrupted constantly and lied repeatedly,
it’s that he followed the debate with accusations
of moderator bias and even a rigged microphone.

Or that he was called out for insulting a Miss Universe,
calling her “Miss Piggy” and “Miss Housekeeping,”
or that he had no reply to this during the debate,
it’s that he doubled down on the insults the next day.

Or that he was ill-prepared to debate and ill-fit to lead,
that he boasted of his tax evasions and bankruptcies,
of broken contracts and his own wealth,
it’s that he then claimed he had the best “temperament.”

Donald Trump showed his temper, that’s for sure.
And he put the “mental” into “temperamental.”

Hillary Clinton combined the best of Bernie’s agenda,
with her own signature style and stamina,
as Donald took the bait, and she took the debate.

And yet, this race is still neck and neck.

Share reactions and plans for actions
as you share a drink and what you think
at your local progressive social club.

America saw incidents of violence and bullying
inspired by the rise of Donald Trump.
And Democrats saw an unlikely contender
overwhelm GOP rivals with unlikely voters.

Now Republicans are having buyer’s remorse
as Senate candidates across the country
reckon with an albatross who could risk their seats
and the RNC considers pulling funds.

And even the candidate himself is reported
to be reckless, erratic, unhappy, frustrated
even as disgraced Roger Ailes joins his ranks.

The Trump Slump affects everyone, it seems.

But as the DOJ ends use of for-profit prisons,
the polling for progressives looks stronger,
and a few U.S. Olympians make history,
maybe some of us — not Trump or the GOP —
are breaking out of the Trump Slump at last.

Share theories and queries, visions and derisions
as you share camaraderie and a liberal libation
at your local progressive social club.